Silver Screen Smackdown-Movie review-How to Train Your Dragon 2

Summary– What happens after the hero wins? How to Train your Dragon 2 picks up with our hero Hiccup now that his town is safe, his people live with dragons, and his dad wants to retire. Hiccup is being offered the role of chief by his father, but he doesn’t want to lead. So, he now explores the world trying to find other dragons and land. As he travels, he finds that others are trapping dragons, and someone is out there protecting the dragons. Who is this someone and can Hiccup stop the dragon trappers?

Story- Just like the first, this story is amazing. The world gets a decent yet quick introduction, and moves off from there. My only complaint is this movie doesn’t give enough background to the characters. We are almost assumed to know who they are. Also, this story will go MUCH further and faster than you think it has a right to! It’s well done, but a little rushed to get the story in in the run time. 4/5

Actors– All the actors knock this one out of the park. I wish some of the secondary actors would get a bit more screen time as they don’t get the time they deserve to shine. Even the new actors do amazing jobs and feel like they belong in the world. I just wish I saw some more of the second string get to play a bit more. 4.5/5

Cinematography– DreamWorks- you did an amazing job making this look at once beautiful, terrifying, and funny. Monsters that can kill a man look scary one moment and friendly the next. The fake dragons have as much personality as the people just through expressions alone. The movie has a consistent style that is phenomenal. 5/5

Summary– Let’s not split hairs here-This move isn’t as good as the original. That is true, but this movie is still a great movie. Well worth the price of admissions, and I honestly now want there to be a third movie. I don’t often feel that way anymore about movies, but I want more from this world. Next time, just give me a few moments to catch my breath and a few more moments with the minor characters! 90%